WILLEMSTAD – Ministers from Curaçao will take part in a high-level Kingdom delegation visiting Florida on April 14 and 15, led by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
The visit brings together representatives from Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, highlighting growing cooperation within the Kingdom and strengthening ties with the United States, particularly in Florida.
Representing Curaçao are Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof and Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Sithree van Heydoorn. They will join ministers from Aruba and Sint Maarten in a program focused on trade, innovation, education, and climate resilience.
The visit will begin in Miami with a stop at the Henry Mack School, where students will present collaborative art projects created with artists from both the Netherlands and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. The program then continues at the Pérez Art Museum, where the royal couple will meet Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, followed by a joint press statement.
A key component of the visit is a CEO roundtable, where discussions will center on strengthening trade relations between the Kingdom and Florida. Topics include improving the investment climate, expanding logistics networks, boosting employment, and developing talent. Curaçao’s participation in these talks is expected to align with its broader ambition to position itself as a regional hub for trade and services.
The delegation will also engage with Caribbean students studying in Florida, providing an opportunity to connect with young professionals who may contribute to future development in the region.
Climate resilience is another major theme. The royal couple will visit the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School, where they will explore solutions for flooding and climate adaptation. The visit includes a demonstration of advanced hurricane simulation technology and coral research aimed at strengthening reef systems—areas of direct relevance to Curaçao and the wider Caribbean.
On the second day, attention shifts to maritime industry cooperation. The delegation will attend presentations by Dutch maritime companies and participate in discussions on innovation and shared challenges in the sector. The program also includes a visit to Shake-a-Leg Marina, which promotes access to water sports for people with disabilities.
Healthcare innovation will also feature prominently. At the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the royal couple and accompanying ministers will be introduced to new technologies and collaborative projects in cardiovascular care, an area of growing importance given aging populations in both the Caribbean and Europe.
The visit concludes at the Freedom Tower, where discussions will focus on migration, tourism, and economic cooperation. A networking reception will bring together Caribbean entrepreneurs, American investors, and Kingdom representatives to explore new business opportunities.
The presence of Curaçao’s ministers underscores the island’s interest in strengthening international partnerships, particularly in areas such as logistics, tourism, healthcare, and climate resilience—key pillars in the government’s long-term development strategy.